The feuds we will be looking out for at the Bernabeu.
It is the first El Clasico of the 2014/15 La Liga season on Saturday as FC Barcelona travel to the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu to take on fierce rivals Real Madrid.
SEE ALSO:
Real Madrid v Barcelona live streaming guide and El Clasicon preview.
El Clasico combined XI: Real Madrid stars outnumber Barcelona counterparts.
Manchester United v Chelsea: Live streaming guide and Premier League preview.
The big talking point is about Luis Suarez’s debut for Barca, although there are doubts as to whether the Uruguay international will actually start, so in order to move away from that circus here are the five key battles CaughtOffside is looking forward to.
Lionel Messi v Sergio Ramos/Raphael Varane
There is some serious debate as to who will partner Pepe in central defence – with the Portugal international seemingly immune from being dropped for some unknown reason – as Varane has been in great form, but the experienced Ramos is fit to play again.
Our choice would be to include both of them, but whoever Carlo Ancelotti chooses will have a tough task to try and keep four-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi quiet.
Luka Modric v Ivan Rakitic
The battle of the two Croatians could be an interesting one, as with all the focus on the prestigious attackers these two could have a very important role to play in the middle.
At international level they play together, with one dropping back as the other goes forward, but now they will be opponents and with both in great form it should be a tasty battle.
Neymar v Dani Carvajal
There will be plenty of focus on Suarez and Messi, but it is this Brazil international who is arguably in the best form and could be the difference between the two rivals.
Carvajal is a promising right-back, yet with Neymar baring down on him his talent will be tested to the very limits.
James Rodriguez v Sergio Busquets
One had a 2014 World Cup that has made his career, the other had one to forget, but all that will be forgotten at the Bernabeu as they look to get the better of one another.
Rodriguez is yet to truly justify his hefty £63m transfer fee and Busquets to many remains the best defensive midfielder in world football – especially with Barca’s impeccable record at the back this campaign.
Cristiano Ronaldo v Dani Alves
It wouldn’t really be a key battle without the current holder of the Ballon d’Or mentioned and Ronaldo is in brilliant form once again this season with an astonishing 20 goals already.
Alves has been deemed past it by many and although he has plenty of experience up against the Portugal captain he would probably rather be facing someone else.